Following referendms on the accession of several formerly Ukrainian regions into Russia, Zimbabwe announced that it will continue supporting Moscow, according to Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Jacob Mudenda.

Speaking to Sputnik, Mudenda voiced that his country "even before the referendum[s], was on the side of Russia in terms of understanding the root cause of the conflict. …Zimbabwe and Russia are victims of sanctions, so they are comrades in the sanctions battle."

This would not mark as the first time an African state cements its support for Russia. In late September, Ugandan Land Forces commander Muhoozi Kainerugaba stressed that any attack on Russia is an attack on Africa. Recent demonstrations in Burkina Faso earlier this month saw protestors waving Russian flags in front of the French embassy. Mali has also agreed to strengthen cooperation with Russia in combatting terrorism in the Sahel region. 

Mudenda pointed out that Zimbabwe has not made any official statements regarding the recognition of the referendum results due to the fact that recognition is initiated by cabinet of ministers on behalf of Zimbabwe's president, and other governmental branches could not make nay steps unless the cabinet makes its decision. 

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On September 30, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that the people living in the DPR, LPR, Kherson, and Zaparozhye "have become [Russian] citizens forever. I want people in Kiev and their real owners to listen to me; we call on Kiev to enter an immediate ceasefire to end the war they initiated back in 2014."

Putin announced Russia's formal recognition of the independence of the DPR and LPR in late February. This led to Ukraine escalating against the Russian-speaking republics and using various tactics to try and undermine their leadership and hurt their civilians.